Rockland Branch
{{Short description|Railway line in Maine}}
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The Rockland Branch is a railroad from Brunswick, Maine to Rockland, Maine. A charter was granted in 1849 to build a railway from the Portland and Kennebec Railroad on the west side of the Kennebec River to Rockland. Construction through the rocky headlands of the Atlantic coast proved more expensive than anticipated. The Knox and Lincoln Railroad commenced service to Rockland in 1871 using a ferry to cross the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich. The Knox and Lincoln was leased by Maine Central Railroad in 1891, and became Maine Central's Rockland Branch in 1901. Maine Central purchased the Samoset destination hotel in nearby Glen Cove (a part of neighbouring Rockport) in 1912, and offered direct passenger service for summer visitors from the large eastern cities. Carlton bridge was completed in 1927 to carry the railroad and U.S. Route 1 over the Kennebec River. Maine Central sold the Samoset hotel in 1941,{{cite book| title=Maine Central Railroad Company |author=Peters, Bradley L. |publisher=Maine Central Railroad |year=1976 }} and the last Maine Central passenger train to Rockland was on 4 April 1959.{{cite book| title=The Best of Maine Railroads |author=Johnson, Ron |publisher=Portland Litho |year=1985 |pages=41–42, 45–46, 48, 55,57&61}} The State of Maine purchased the branch in 1987 to prevent abandonment. The line has subsequently been operated by the Maine Coast Railroad, the Maine Eastern Railroad,{{cite web|url=http://www.sullboat.com/rockland_history.htm|title=The Maine Central Railroad Rockland Branch and The Lime Rock Railroad|publisher=sullboat.com|access-date=2010-05-10}} and, beginning in 2016, the Central Maine and Quebec Railway.{{cite web | url=http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/09/03-central-maine | title=Central Maine & Quebec to take over route of Maine Eastern | publisher=Trains Magazine | date=September 3, 2015 | access-date=September 3, 2015}} In 2019, Canadian Pacific Railway agreed to purchase the Central Maine and Quebec, thereby inheriting the operation of the Rockland Branch.{{cite web | url=https://knox.villagesoup.com/p/canadian-pacific-to-buy-rail-company-that-runs-rockland-branch/1842658 | title=Canadian Pacific to Buy Rail Company That Runs Rockland Branch | publisher=Courier Publications, LLC | date=November 26, 2019 | access-date=August 4, 2020}} The acquisition was completed on June 3, 2020.{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/freight/canadian-pacific-completes-central-maine-and-quebec-railway-acquisition/56683.article | title=Canadian Pacific completes Central Maine & Quebec Railway acquisition | publisher=Railway Gazette Group | date=June 4, 2020 | access-date=August 4, 2020}}
In 2021 Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK) subsidiary Midcoast Railservice (MCRI) took over operations of this line.Railfan and Railroad Magazine, "From Maine Coast to Midcoast," July 2024 Issue
On August 16, 2024, Midcoast Railservice filed a petition to discontinue service on the line. This is due to the closure of their main customer, Dragon Cement, closed their plant on the line. According to Midcoast, the line was operating at a loss, generating only 5 cars per month.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2024 |title=Midcoast Railservice, Inc.-Discontinuance of Service Exemption-in Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc Counties, ME |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-19963/page-72694 |access-date=December 10, 2024}}
Maine Switching Services
{{Infobox rail
| name = Maine Switching Services
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| regions = Maine
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| fleet = 3 leased diesel locomotives{{cite web |title=Maine Switching Services - RailroadfanWiki |url=https://railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/Maine_Switching_Services |website=railroadfan.com}}
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| parent_company = Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad
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| locale = Waldo County (B&ML line)
Brunswick to Rockland (Rockland Branch)
| start_year = {{Start date|2020}}
| end_year = present
| predecessor_line = Midcoast Railservice (2024, on the Rockland Branch)
| gauge = {{Track gauge|Standard gauge}}
| website = {{URL|https://maineswitching.com/}}
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In January 2025, the Maine Department of Transportation announced that the line will be operated by a company called Maine Switching Services,{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Bob|title=Maine DOT selects Maine Switching Services as Rockland Branch operator |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/maine-dot-selects-maine-switching-services-as-rockland-branch-operator/ |website=Trains |date=9 January 2025 |access-date=19 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=Maine Switching Services, LLC - Home |url=https://maineswitchingservices.com/index.php |website=maineswitchingservices.com |access-date=19 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=Maine Switching Services - Home |url=https://maineswitching.com/ |website=maineswitching.com |access-date=February 19, 2025}}{{cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Maine Switching Services to operate Rockland Branch Railroad |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/short_lines_regionals/news/Maine-Switching-Services-to-operate-Rockland-Branch-Railroad--73643 |website=Progressive Railroading |language=en |access-date=February 19, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Franz |first1=Justin |title=Maine Selects New Operator for Rockland Branch |url=https://railfan.com/maine-selects-new-operator-for-rockland-branch/ |website=Railfan & Railroad Magazine |language=en-CA |date=10 January 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025}} which also operates freight trains on the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad.{{cite web |date = 10 January 2025 |last1=Luczak |first1=Marybeth |title=Small-Road Briefs: MaineDOT, Pinsly, OmniTRAX |url=https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/small-road-briefs-mainedot-pinsly-omnitrax/?RAchannel=home |website=Railway Age |access-date=February 19, 2025}} MSS now operates freight trains on the Rockland Branch, and plans to operate excursion trains beginning in the fall of 2025.
Route mileposts
- Milepost 0: Brunswick junction with Maine Central Lower Road and Lewiston Branch
- Milepost 8.7: Bath with Bath Iron Works shipyard
- Milepost 9.5: Woolwich
- Milepost 20: Wiscasset interchange with narrow-gauge Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway from 1895 to 1933
- Milepost 27.1: Newcastle
- Milepost 28.9: Damariscotta Mills
- Milepost 31.7: Nobleboro
- Milepost 38.5: Waldoboro
- Milepost 45.3: Warren
- Milepost 52.4: Thomaston large cement plant
- Milepost 56.6: Rockland ferry connections to Penobscot Bay{{cite book| title=Hand-Book of Officers, Agents, Stations and Sidings |author=Maine Central Railroad |publisher=Edwin B. Robertson |year=1917 |pages=7–8}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Maine Central}}
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Category:Maine Eastern Railroad
Category:Maine Central Railroad
Category:Canadian Pacific Railway lines in the United States